British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has confirmed that the United Kingdom is not seeking to establish a new visa agreement with India during his official visit to Mumbai. This announcement comes ahead of his scheduled meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and highlights the UK government’s current approach to immigration policy.
The UK-India Free Trade Agreement (FTA), finalized in July 2025 and set to take effect next year, does not include provisions for expanded visa access for Indian nationals. While the agreement facilitates temporary business travel between the two nations, it does not introduce new immigration pathways. Starmer emphasized that increasing visa numbers is “not part of the plan,” in line with his government’s broader objective to manage net migration levels.
Despite appeals from Indian officials and business leaders for more relaxed visa policies, particularly to attract skilled professionals, Starmer maintained that the FTA’s focus is on trade, investment, and job creation rather than immigration reforms. He also noted that the UK-India returns agreement, which has facilitated the return of over 6,300 individuals, addresses deportation concerns and is not part of current discussions.
The FTA is expected to significantly boost bilateral trade, with projections indicating nearly a 60% increase in UK exports to India and an annual rise in trade by £25.5 billion. However, Starmer clarified that the implementation of the agreement will not lead to changes in visa policies, particularly for Indian tech professionals.
During his visit, Starmer is accompanied by a delegation of over 120 business and educational leaders. Discussions with PM Modi are anticipated to cover areas including trade, defense, climate change, and innovation, under the framework of the “Vision 2035” roadmap aimed at strengthening the India-UK strategic partnership.
In summary, while the UK-India FTA marks a significant step in enhancing economic ties, Prime Minister Starmer has firmly ruled out any expansion of visa access for Indian nationals, focusing instead on leveraging the agreement to foster trade and investment opportunities.